Memorials › Elsie Sophia Larsen Ray

Elsie Sophia Larsen Ray

25 Feb 1917 – 8 Sep 1984

Birth25 Feb 1917
Death8 Sep 1984
CemeteryGraceland Cemetery
Decatur , Macon County , Illinois , USA
Added byKimberly on 19 Mar 2021
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9053730

Bio

My Grandma Elsie was a first generation American. Her parents came to America from Denmark. They met here, in America, only to find out they'd grown up in Denmark relatively close to each other, but never met until coming here. Grandma started school not knowing English, but quickly learned. She devoured books and loved to write - she was extremely intelligent. She left the gift of her writings behind for us, including many stories from her childhood. Her little home in Decatur, Illinois was always full of laughter and the smell of ginger. I visited that home recently, only to find it occupied but mostly in shambles - full of half-finished remodeling projects. Grandma loved her home so much, she wrote about it. Every Christmas Eve we'd gather there, and to this day I have no idea how we fit so many people in it, as it seems so very small now. The backyard was huge, lush with green grass every Spring and Summer. The deer would emerge from the woods and come close to the house to eat. We had grand times in that back yard, rolling down the hill and having picnics and cook-outs. Never have I felt so much love in a home as I did there... ∼ Herald & Review 9/9/1984 Mrs.Ray died Saturday in Decatur Illinois. She was employed at Lincoln Manor North and was a member of Trueblood United Methodist church. Funeral services will be Tuesday in Brintlingers with burial in Graceland cemetery. She was born in St. Paul Minn. the daughter of Andrew Larsen and Marie Thomsen. She was married to Truman Ray in 1976 and he died in 1980. Surviving are her daughters,Marie Clifton and Beverly Stovall both of Decatur,sister Esther Wagner of Rockford,10 grandchildren,10 great grandchildren. Obituary furnished by Janet Donner

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